Wind deflector for automobiles

ABSTRACT

A wind deflector for automobiles comprises an elongated cross sectionally arcuate member having a longitudinally extending flange along one edge thereof and offset with respect thereto the flange having a plurality of notches cut therein whereby the flange may be positioned between the window frame member and a trim and/or sealing piece thereon so as to mount the wind deflector thereto at the forward edge of the window opening.

United States Patent Molaskey et al.

WIND DEFLECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Inventors: Charles E. Molaskey, 11408Youngstown-Pittsburgh Rd., New Middletown, Ohio 44442; Charles 0.Starkey, RD. 1, Edinburg, Pa. 16116 Filed: June 26, 1972 Appl. No.:266,287

US. Cl. 296/152, 98/2.12 Int. Cl B60j 1/20 Field of Search 296/152;98/2.12,

2,599,014 6/1952 Pritchard 296/152 2,550,619 4/1951 Sutherland ..98/2.12

Primary Examiner-Kenneth H. Betts Assistant Examiner-John A. PekarAtt0rney-Webster B. Harpman [5 7] ABSTRACT A wind deflector forautomobiles comprises an elongated cross sectionally arcuate memberhaving a longitudinally extending flange along one edge thereof andoffset with respect thereto the flange having a plurality of notches cuttherein whereby the flange may be positioned between the window framemember and a trim and/or sealing piece thereon so as to mount the winddeflector thereto at the forward edge of the window opening.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures l WIND DEFLECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILES BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates towind deflectors of the type mounted on automobile bodies adjacent windowopenings therein so as to direct wind currents away from the windowopening.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior structures of this type havegenerally utilized deflectors formed of transparent material such asglass and positioned them in hinged relation to the corner post orwindow frame of the window opening so that they could be adjusted withrespect thereto (see US.-

Pats. No.s 2,478,161, 2,519,446, 2,816,795, and 2,933,344).

This invention relates to an improved wind deflector of a simple onepiece construction that deflects wind and air currents only sufficientlyto eliminate noises caused by turbulence flowing around the corner postsof an automobile body relative to a closed or open window adjacentthereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aschematic illustration of a portion of an automobile body including thefront corner post defining a portion of a window opening therein andillustrating the wind deflector mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional detail of a front corner post ofan automobile body showing the wind deflector.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the wind deflector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In its simplest form the winddeflector for automobiles comprises an elongated section of stripmaterial of arcuate transverse section throughout a majority of itswidth. A longitudinally extending relatively wide rib 11 is positionedinwardly from one edge thereof with the adjacent edge portion forming atransversely and longitudinal flat flange 12 in which a plurality ofnotches 13 are formed with respect to its outermost edge. When thedevice is formed of thin strip metal or synthetic resin the thickness ofthe flange 12 is such that it may be readily inserted alongside a cornerpost 14 of an automobile body by slightly distorting the trim and/orweather sealing section or member 15 normally mounted thereon. In FIG. 1of the drawings the automobile body is shown with the corner post 14positioned between one side of a windshield 16 and a window opening 17.In FIG. 2 of the drawings an enlarged cross sectional detail of atypical corner post construction of an automobile may be seen with thewindshield 16 secured thereagain by a sealing and mounting fitting 18with the weather sealing section 15 also secured thereto usually byfasteners 19. The movable window in the automobile body as seen in FIG.2 of the drawings is indicated by the numeral 20 and engages against theweather sealing section 15 as will be understood by those skilled in theart.

By referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings it will be seen that the winddeflector body 10 is so arranged with respect to the longitudinallyextending rib 11 and the flat flange 12 extending therebeyond, that theflat flange 12 may be positioned against the corner post 14 and pushedinto self-retaining location by reason of the resiliant nature of theweather sealing section or member 15. The notches l3 permit the winddeflector 10 to be moved sufficiently to engage the fasteners 19 in thenotches l3 and thus permit the installation of the device. Thelongitudinally extending rib 11 forms a guide and insures a sealing fitof the longitudinal edge of the wind deflector with respect to thecorner post 14. It will thus be seen that a wind deflector has beendisclosed which is particularly suitable for eliminating the turbulentair currents that flow around the corners of automobile bodies andparticularly the front corner posts and cause objectionable noise. Thewind deflector will also direct the air currents away from the windowopening. Although but one embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A wind deflector for an automobile body having a corner post, aweather sealing member positioned thereagainst and fasteners positionedtherethrough; said wind deflector consisting of a longitudinallyextending transversely arcuate section of thin material of a lengthsufficient to span the vertical dimension of a window in said bodyadjacent said post and having a transversely flat flange along one edge,notches formed inwardly of the outer edge of said flat flange forregistry with said fasteners whereby said flat flange may be po-'sitioned between said corner post of said automobile body and saidweather sealing member mounted thereon so as to hold and locate the winddeflector outwardly thereof, said transversely flat flange terminatinginwardly from the opposite ends of the wind deflector so as increase therelative width of the remainder thereof, and a longitudinally extendingrib between said arcuate and flat sections for insuring a sealing fitwith said comer post.

2. The wind deflector set forth in claim 1 and wherein the winddeflector is formed of thin transparent sheet material and thetransversely arcuate shape thereof is aerodynamically formed to directair currents thereabout so as to lessen turbulence and noise resultingtherefrom. v

1. A wind deflector for an automobile body having a corner post, aweather sealing member positioned thereagainst and fasteners positionedtherethrough; said wind deflector consisting of a longitudinallyextending transversely arcuate section of thin material of a lengthsufficient to span the vertical dimension of a window in said bodyadjacent said post and having a transversely flat flange along one edge,notches formed inwardly of the outer edge of said flat flange forregistry with said fasteners whereby said flat flange may be positionedbetween said corner post of said automobile body and said weathersealing member mounted thereon so as to hold and locate the winddeflector outwardly thereof, said transversely flat flange terminatinginwardly from the opposite ends of the wind deflector so as increase therelative width of the remainder thereof, and a longitudinally extendingrib between said arcuate and flat sections for insuring a sealing fitwith said corner post.
 2. The wind deflector set forth in claim 1 andwherein the wind deflector is formed of thin transparent sheet materialand the transversely arcuate shape thereof is aerodynamically formed todirect air currents thereabout so as to lessen turbulence and noiseresulting therefrom.